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Cheers, hollers greet unveiling of calendar
Fordan Bonardi
“The Men of Westerly” pose for a group photograph. Proceeds from the sale of the 2010 calendar will benefit local charities.WESTERLY - The evening unfolded perfectly.
And judging from the hoots, hollers and cheers that erupted from the sold-out, mostly female audience who packed the Granite Theatre, baring bodies for charity is a perfect way to raise funds - and eyebrows.
In an atmosphere filled with fun and frivolity, the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night, unveiled the much-anticipated Men of Westerly 2010 calendar - a calendar filled with full-color photographs of next-to-naked men, each posing with a strategically located prop symbolic of their businesses - a fundraising vehicle for the chamber and five local nonprofit organizations.
Because the names of the male models had been kept under wraps, gasps of surprise and faux shock peppered the presentation as Chamber Executive Director Lisa Konicki revealed the men and their months on stage one by one.
As she introduced each month and its man (men), the models appeared from behind the curtain - accompanied by music, drum rolls and shouts from the crowd - sashaying or dancing down the aisle, and sometimes tossing things into the audience.
The "Men of January," Morgan King and Nick Cook, employees of J. Mack Studios in Westerly, a custom screen printing studio, threw thongs and the "Men of July," from Paddy's Restaurant and Hotel in Misquamicut, threw beach balls.
When Mr. December pranced on stage, accompanied by "How Much Is that Doggie in the Window," the crowd erupted in applause and barks of laughter.
Mr. December is Larry Hirsch, the very vocal and visible president of Stand Up for Animals, the local animal shelter. He is pictured sitting on top of a doghouse, holding a box of Milk Bones.
Eric Pivco, from Town Shore Realty - who appears in the calendar wearing only a black bow-tie - drew whistles, while the "Men of November," Jim Aiello, Brian Gaudet, Mike Sullivan, Brian Jarvis, Dave Malagrino, Dave Ferraro and Bob Mahl from the Hilltop Café, inspired shouts of approval and a thunder of applause.
"I've never been so famous in all my life," Mahl said at the downstairs reception, in between autographing calendars. "We had more fun ... this has been wonderful."
Bruce Morrow, general manager of Valenti Subaru in Westerly, invited his mother, father and in-laws to the reception, but never mentioned that he was Mr. March.
"They're all in their 80s," he said, "and they loved it."
Morrow's mother Joan cheerfully validated her son's claim.
"It's wonderful," she said, picking up a second calendar to purchase and handing a pen to her son. "I'm very proud of him."
"She wants my autograph," laughed Morrow with genuine surprise.
"This one is going to his brother in Atlanta, Georgia," she added, "tomorrow."
"Are you kidding me?" asked dad, Jim, with a smile. "This is wonderful."
Russ Holly, one of the "Men of June," and a member of Westerly's popular The Beach Band, all of whom appear in the calendar standing on the beach holding a musical instrument, said it was all "fun stuff."
"It's a great experience," said Holly, a drummer, "and great exposure too."
"I had a great time," said a surprised Mr. April, Joseph Miceli, owner of Miceli's Furniture, who appears in the calendar holding a sign that reads, "The Rhode Island Shore Beckons," and who typically presents himself as more serious and staid. "And it's raised some money, for sure."
"It was awesome," said Emily Spano, whose husband, Dan, is a member of The Beach Band and one of the men of June, as she left the theater. "How funny was that introduction and how funny was the audience?"
"And to think it's all for charity," she added. "That's really awesome."
"And the girls will have something to laugh about," added her husband Dan, referring to the couple's daughters. "I'm not getting any younger and I'm not getting any better looking."
Other local men appearing in this year's calendar include Jeff Seaman and Rick Sabourin of Chocolate Temptations, George Nicholas, James Nicholas, Sam Agnello and Jason Mellow from St. Clair Annex, Jay Croy of Platinum Design & Build, Frank Levy and Richard Bright of Newbury New England/LLC Winnapaug Cottages, and David Tranchida, managing editor of The Westerly Sun.
"It's a good cause," said Tranchida, who appears in the calendar holding wide a newspaper and wearing nothing but Top Siders and a pair of reading glasses. "It's all for charity."
Now in its second year, the 2009 calendar was a tremendous success, according to Chamber President Wendy Carr, and raised more than $13,000 for charities in the Westerly/ Pawcatuck area.
Despite the light-hearted nature of the event, representatives of each charity, who each gave a four-minute presentation and plea before the whimsical portion of the program, stressed the growing need for support, funding and donations.
"This was a lot of fun and I give everyone a lot of credit," said Debbie Nigrelli, director of Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need, one of the organizations to benefit from the calendar sales.
Anything that will increase awareness and bring attention to the growing need of the hungry and the homeless is important, she added.
Kelly Lee, executive director of Westerly Adult Day Center, applauded the chamber for "thinking outside the box."
"We have to get creative with fundraising these days," Lee said. Any opportunity to educate the community about the needs and the mission of local social service agencies is welcome, she said.
Claire Letizio, executive director of the Bradford Jonnycake Center, agreed.
"Bring awareness to the number of people in need is so important," Letizio said.
"But I have to say that this was such good, clean fun tonight," she added. "It was silly and fun and I think we should thank the audience too."
The chamber, which pays all the expenses related to the calendar production, will share calendar profits with the Westerly Adult Day Center, Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need, Westerly WARM Center, the Bradford Jonnycake Center and Stand Up for Animals.
The calendar models, all members of the chamber, are supportive of the local charities involved in this year's campaign, Carr says. The calendars, $20 each, are on sale at more than 30 locations around the Westerly area. Click here for a list of locations selling the 2010 calendars on the chamber's Web site or to purchase online.
Posted in News, Local on Thursday, November 5, 2009 11:15 am Updated: 11:44 am. | Tags: Men Of Westerly Calendar
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20 comments:
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12roxy
Earl, the difference with the Vermont situation and the WCoC is that the WCoC mixes (disguises) fundraising FOR THEMSELVES with fundraising for charities, without proper disclosure, which I find deceptive and personally offensive.
I give my money directly to local charities often and I would encourage others to give directly also.
The WCoC is acting like a middleman, taking their cut for themselves and their members, which just means less goes to the charities, plain and simple.
Earl53
I was asked a few years ago to photograph a nude men’s calendar for a senior center in Vermont. The money was to be used for meals-on-wheels, which fed the seniors that couldn’t make it down to the center for lunch. I was glad to be a part of that fund raising project. They took in a lot of money to feed the senior’s from three surrounding towns. Just so you know my compensation was a free calendar. The ages of the males were 55 –93 years old. Most were from the senior center. The 93 year old had past away the following year and he felt so strongly about the calendar that he was still selling them while in his bed at the hospital.
The senior center had asked me to do the next year’s calendar only with the women of the senior center. I gladly accepted. Their ages ranged from 50 to 77 and most of them were from the senior center. When I say that they were from the senior center I don’t mean they worked there but were members of it. These were church going people, not that that makes a difference, but when the subject of religion came up I wanted to point out that an ordained minister was going to be in the calendar. The purpose of the calendar was far greater than who was in it. Both calendar’s served their purpose and both sold out quickly. I would do it again if they asked.
eastcoast
Great job chamber....keep up the good work!!
Pizano
Mr. Frank Palaia, are you new to the Internet? Anonymity is the wise choice of most Internet users for security reasons. It helps them keep themselves off milk cartons and police blotters. Secondly, Internet forums have Administrators. They set the rules; not you.
NCGirl
This is a hoot and what a great way to raise money for charity! I am going to order one and have it sent to NC and put it over my desk, so that I can get a giggle everyday. Bob Maul hasn't changed a bit even though I haven't seen him in a very long time! I think these days people need something to laugh about and the proceeds go to a good cause. If you don't like it, don't buy it! I will be ordering one or two!
Katie
Wallflower
The sad part is there are over 12 comments on this article, and only 2 on the article about the fact that our School Committee is lawyering up on the Superintendent issue and refusing to answer any questions on the matter citing legal ramifications. Maybe we should channel the anger over the Men of Westerly calendar into an issue that effects each taxpayer, and the future of school sytems and our children. C'mon guys.
itsmee
thank you, Frank, for that bit of sanity.
Am i the only one who notices that the men are showing no more than can be seen any day at the beach?
Oh, and 12roxy... um, that would mean you, too... ;-p
resident
We now see Westerly's true colors. How distasteful! For those of you who think that this is funny, amusing, or attractive...your all a horse of the same color. Your a bunch of PIGS! I hope your children grow up to be just like the're parents!
12roxy
OK, everybody, Frank Palaia says to stop using pseudonyms..... that means you too:
Guesswho
Candy Cane
Native Westlyan
SouthernBoy
NorthEnder
Pizano
sceptical
Frankiefivefingers
CosmoGirl
FrankPalaia
Here are some thoughts:
1.) Stop hiding like a coward behind an anonymous screen name if you have something negative to say.
2.) The chamber doesn’t have to “come clean”. Why don’t you just read the article??? “The chamber, which pays all the expenses related to the calendar production, will share calendar profits with the Westerly Adult Day Center, Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need, Westerly WARM Center, the Bradford Jonnycake Center and Stand Up for Animals.” I’m sorry, is one of those charities not good enough for you?
3.) The Chamber’s portion of the profits does not go to anyone’s salary; it goes towards the numerous things that the Chamber does that help our business community. You know, silly things like jobs in Westerly that put food on tables. You don’t approve of that either?
4.) If you are a self-appointed bookkeeper, go down to the Chamber office and they’ll show you all of the expenses, and the breakdown of which charity gets how much, after the calendars are all sold out. The Chamber’s books are available to the public.
5.) You can go into any drug store in town and see an aisle of magazines with covers much racier than anything in this calendar. Do you make your kid stay in the car when you run into the drug store? I didn’t think so. So, you don’t have to buy a calendar if you don’t want to, and I can guarantee this will not be the moral apocalypse of the town of westerly.
6.) If you don’t like this idea, go do something better and donate to these or some other charities that you think deserve some help, and I promise that I won’t waste my time or anyone else’s criticizing you.
Guesswho
Naysayers??? If it causes controversary then why do it? I think somebody at the Chamber is craving some serious attention! I know I don't want my kids to go to school and tell their friends that they saw me almost naked on a calendar!
Candy Cane
Why didn't the men prance around in their thongs and collect $1 bills from all the women. After all, its all for charity. Better yet, let's get the Director of the Chamber on a calendar next year with a beach ball in front of her! Why not? It's all for Charity.
Native Westlyan
If its not your thing fine.But dont spoil it for everyone else by being naysaysers all the time.
Native Westlyan
Oh my such todue,Shame on these men for wearing beach balls and newspapers in the name of charity.I cant wait to get one.
NorthEnder
I love this calendar and the tongue in cheek approach! It's a great way to raise funds for worthy cause, while having fun. Bravo to all who participated...can't wait to see what is in store for next year.
I don't see where the controversy lies nor why the "area pastors" opinion has greater value than anyone else's. If you don't approve of the calendar - don't buy one.
Pizano
Frankiefivefingers hit the nail on the head! If this nudity is appropriate adult behavior for our children to see, what else is OK? Don’t give me any jive that’s it is OK to lower moral standards for charity. These same 'men' (and women who buy this pathetic calendar) wonder, 'what's wrong with our children today'?
Westerly clergy have cowered in their cathedrals ever since Librarygate in 2003. That is when they failed to speak against the Westerly Library started providing our children unfettered access to pornography. As for Father Ray, at least he has tried. Maybe he is just plain tired of being the lone cry in the Westerly wilderness.
12roxy
How much is going to the Chamber, if not all of it?
How much is going to charities, if not all of it?
The Chamber needs to come-clean to the community on who is getting the proceeds from their fundraising. I think many people don't realize how much they are actually funding the Charter through their fundraising.
I don't think the Chamber qualifies as a "charity".
So, let’s come-clean WCOC.
sceptical
I wonder how they would feel if the WOMEN bared all in a calendar??????
Frankiefivefingers
I wonder how the area pastors weigh in on this one? Will they have the guts to take a stand one way or another regarding this controversy. Where's Father Ray when you need him?
CosmoGirl
THREE CHEERS for the Men of Westerly! Its fantastic that such a silly calendar can raise so much money for the charities in town. Westerly resdients have a sense of humor AND a sense of community spirit! Great job to all involved-